1- Pronouns

2- Tenses

If the sentence starts in the present, there is no backshift of tenses in reported speech.

If the sentence starts in the past, there is often backshift of tenses in reported speech.

Direct speech

Reported speech

(no backshift)

“I write poems.”

He says that he writes poems.

(backshift)

“I write poems.”

He said that he wrote poems.

No backshift

Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in a present tense (e. g. He says). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).

Example:
He says, “I write poems.” – He says that he writes English.

Backshift

You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in a past tense (e. g. He said).

Example:
He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.

Examples of the main changes in tense:

Direct Speech

Reported Speech

Simple Present
He said: "I am happy"

Simple Past
He said that he was happy

Present Progressive
He said: "I'm looking for my keys"

Past Progressive
He said that he was looking for his keys

Simple Past
He said: "I visited New York last year"

Past Perfect Simple
He said that he had visited New York the previous year.

Present Perfect
He said: " I've lived here for a long time "

Past Perfect
He said that he had lived there for a long time

Past Perfect
He said: "They had finished the work when I arrived"

Past Perfect
He said that they had finished the work when he had arrived"

Past Progressive
He said: "I was playing football when the accident occurred"

Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been playing football when the accident had occurred

Present Perfect Progressive
He said:"I have been playing football for two hours."

Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been playing football for two hours

Past Perfect Progressive
He said: "I had been reading a newspaper when the light went off"

Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been reading a newspaper when the light had gone off

Future Simple (will+verb)
He said: "I will open the door."

Conditional (would+verb)
He said that he would open the door.

Conditional (would+verb)
He said: "I would buy Mercedes if I were rich"

Conditional (would+verb)
He said that he would buy Mercedes if he had been rich"

The modal verbs could, should, would, might, needn't, ought to, used to do not normally change.
Example:
He said, "She might be right." – He said that she might be right.

Other modal verbs may change:

Modal

Direct speec

Repored speech

can

"I can do it."

He said he could do it.

may

"May I go out?"

He wanted to know if he might go out.

must

"She must apply for the job."

He said that she must/had to apply for the job.

will

"They will call you."

He tod her that they would call her.

3- Place, demonstratives and time expressions

Place, demonstratives and time expressions change if the context of the reported statement (i.e. the location and/or the period of time) is different from that of the direct speech.

In the following table, you will find the different changes of place; demonstratives and time expressions.

Direct Speech

Reported Speech

Time Expressions

today

that day

now

then

yesterday

the day before

… days ago

… days before

last week

the week before

next year

the following year

tomorrow

the next day / the following day

Place

here

there

Demonstratives

this

that

these

those

B. Reporting Questions

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

pronouns

place and time expressions

tenses (backshift)

Also note that you have to:

transform the question into an indirect question

use the question word (where, when, what, how) or if / whether

Types of questions

Direct speech

Reported speech

With question word (what, why, where, how...)

"Why" don’t you speak English?”

He asked me why I didn’t speak English.

Without question word (yes or no questions)

“Do you speak English?”

He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

C. Reporting requests / commands

When transforming requests and commands, check whether you have to change:

pronouns

place and time expressions

Direct speech

Reported speech

“Nancy,do the exercise.“

He told Nancy to do the exercise.

"Nancy, give me your pen, please."

He asked Nancy to give him her pen.

Tenses are not relevant for requests – simply use to / not to + verb (infinitive without "to")

Example:

She said, “Sit down." - She asked me to sit down.

She said, "don't be lazy" - She asked me not to be lazy

For affirmative use to + infinitive (without to)

For negative requests, use not to + infinitive (without to).

D. Other transformations

Expressions of advice with must, should and ought are usually reported using advise / urge.
Example:
“You must read this book.“
He advised / urged me to read that book.

The expression let’s is usually reported using suggest. In this case, there are two possibilities for reported speech: gerund or statement with should.Example:
“Let’s go to the cinema.“=
1. He suggested going to the cinema.
2. He suggested that we should go to the cinema.

Main clauses connected with and/but

If two complete main clauses are connected with ‚and or ‚but, put ‚that after the conjunction.

Example:
He said,“I saw her but she didn't see me.“ – He said that he had seen her butthat she hadn't seen him.“

If the subject is dropped in the second main clause (the conjunction is followed by a verb), do not use ‚that‘.

Example:
She said,“I am a nurse and work in a hospital.“ – He said that she was a nurse and worked in a hospital.“